Ratchet Basics: Round vs Pear head

[The Rusty Gear]

Ok, I see there are different styles, but what are the differences? Pear heads stronger whereas round heads usually have finer teeth? Simply looks? Pear head “flatter”? Where would I use one over the other? And what about the amount of teeth? More teeth = less sweep, but are the teeth more likely to strip because they are smaller?

I have a fairly complete set of ratchets for a weekend warrior – extendable with flex-head (Mastercraft Maximum), indexable (Princess Auto $20 Special), and a standard round head with speeder ring (Husky), but I’m considering treating myself and getting an “Uber” 3/8” ratchet because it’s what I use the most. What style I should get? Pear-Head? Round head? Maybe one of those Stanley (aka Husky Pro) microtough ones with the small head?

 

[1320stang]

My only extended experience is with the Craftsman round head and pear head ratchets. The round head was far superior as my pear head reverses itself all the time on it's own. I also kind liked the knurled lip that I could tightened with. I need to exchange my pear head, maybe I had an anomoly.

 

[MAD]

My only extended experience is with the Craftsman round head and pear head ratchets. The round head was far superior as my pear head reverses itself all the time on it's own. I also kind liked the knurled lip that I could tightened with. I need to exchange my pear head, maybe I had an anomoly.

There was a big run of crappy 3/8" drive teardrop Craftsman ratchets recently. I got one in a set that was notchy as hell and would slip into the center neutral or reverse position without touching the lever. I took it back to a sears store and they went through 4 or 5 rebuilt ratchets with the same problem. When I rejected all of them, they tried a new one off the shelf-same problem. All of the bad ratchets were of the same vintage with the same prefix code. I believe it was KR (for KRAP?). I decided to take my ratchet home and try later. I took my ratchet to another store a couple of weeks later and they did not have any of the standard teardrop 3/8" ratchets on the shelf. The sales guy said that they had sent all of theirs back due to the same problem. I exchanged mine for a round head model not wanting to risk Sears sending me another bad one in the mail. While I was there I checked the other tear drop ratchets (3/8" flex head, 1/4", 1/2" etc) to see if any had the same problem. The rest were all fine. I don't know If the problem was with the handle casting or an assembly problem like a wrong spring. The rebuilt ones could have easily been new returns that had rebuild stickers slapped on them by a lazy employee. I know that a Danaher tool plant that made a lot of Craftsman tools in Springfield MA recently closed and production moved to a another state, this may be the root of the problem. I assume they have fixed the problem by now but Sears makes so many of this style ratchet, I bet they will keep turning up for years. If the Employees in a particular store are not any good they will just keep putting bad ones back on the shelf. I guess when you are as big as Sears,you have the potential to f***up on a massive scale.

 

[1320stang]

I've had this teardrop for at least 4 or 5 years. I wanted a round head as my blow molded case fit the round head and not the tear drop. They didn't have a rebuilt on nor did they have a kit. He offered a rebuilt tear drop and I demanded a new one. My 1/4 and 1/2 round heads are fine. I don't like having to push the button to remove the socket/extension either. None of the cheaper stuff has the feel of a Snappy or Mac tool, but I don't wrench enough to justify Snappy or Mac tools. I may have to break down and get a Snappy ratchet or two.

 

[MAD]

My favorite ratchets are the SK pro series. There is nothing fancy about them they are just smooth as silk and do not slip. They are also light so they are very comfortable to use working on your back on a creeper. I do not really care that much for the action of the Snap-on ratchets I have tried. But all of mine are pretty old - bought in '85,'86. I am sure the new ones are better. Just my $.02, I have not tried every kind of ratchet out there.

here is a link to the SK pro series. Better prices available from your local dealer/E-retailer.
http://www.skhandtool.com/productcatalog.cfm?tok=1

 

[eschoendorff]

To the OP:

If you're gonna buy one 3/8 ratchet to use as your "main" ratchet, you really can't go wrong with this one:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...group_ID=12898&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog
Simple and effective.

 

[kartracer55]

Snap On ratchets are awesome, and the more worn they get, the better they are to use. Once that pawl spring wears they loosen up quite a bit making them almost as smooth as SK's. There is a reason the design hasnt changed much over the years.

The Standard sk "Pro" series is a great line of ratchets. I have at least 6 of these in various drives and lengths. Smooth as silk, never broken one or skipped a tooth. Once again, these are very popular, and there is a reason the design hasny really changed AT ALL over the years. My newest one is identical to my oldest one, which is 2X as old as me. The SK ratchets are going to be quite a bit cheaper than the Snap Ons as well.

The drawback to roundheads is that they arnt as easy to reverse with one hand, but it isnt really THAT big of a deal. You will eventually wind up with one of each style, so It really doesnt matter what you go with now. It seems to be inevitable.

Jim

 

[TNToy]

I’m considering treating myself and getting an “Uber” 3/8” ratchet because it’s what I use the most. What style I should get? Pear-Head? Round head? Maybe one of those Stanley (aka Husky Pro) microtough ones with the small head?

If you say you're going to buy an "uber" ratchet, don't buy ****. Buy an actual UBER-ratchet.

Pick up a 3/8" Snap-On or SK or Matco off of eBay.

Craftsman raised-panel ratchets belong in the trash can. All of them. No exceptions. They are SERIOUSLY worse than a $4 harbor freight ratchet.

 

[ba614]

If you don'thave an "UBER RACHET"
Does that make you a "GOOBER?

 

[PurdueSD]

maybe not an "uber" rathcet but i was so happy with my 3/8" proto "big dawg" that i bought the 1/4" and am waiting on the postman for my 1/2"

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

When they first came out (from the old ones I delt with), the pear head was slightly narrower. You could get fine or course tooth in the round head, although I think now, they are all at least 45 tooth.

Traditionally the fewer teeth, the stronger the ratchet. Though some of the newer ratchets are engaging more teeth, thereby making up some of the difference. They also have changed the designs, so the teeth aren't so sharp, that they shear like they used to.

Newer ratchets are also sealed, and should keep the contamination out of them longer, however, that ISN'T an excuse to not use breaker bars. (WTH, did they ever stop including them).

Nowdays, I prefer the old tank style, round head fine tooth Craftsman's, or the thin pro line, or my Snap's. I still have a few of the others for loaner purposes.

 

[l_bilyk]

Ok, I see there are different styles, but what are the differences? Pear heads stronger whereas round heads usually have finer teeth? Simply looks? Pear head “flatter”? Where would I use one over the other? And what about the amount of teeth? More teeth = less sweep, but are the teeth more likely to strip because they are smaller?

I have a fairly complete set of ratchets for a weekend warrior – extendable with flex-head (Mastercraft Maximum), indexable (Princess Auto $20 Special), and a standard round head with speeder ring (Husky), but I’m considering treating myself and getting an “Uber” 3/8” ratchet because it’s what I use the most. What style I should get? Pear-Head? Round head? Maybe one of those Stanley (aka Husky Pro) microtough ones with the small head?

Pear heads are better because the pawl jams itself between the gear and the casing.. with round head ratchets the pawn is inside the spinning part, and all the force rest on a single pivot pin

I would look for a snap on or armstrong or proto 3/8 if you want a nice one

 

[chevy302dz]

Pear heads are better because the pawl jams itself between the gear and the casing.. with round head ratchets the pawn is inside the spinning part, and all the force rest on a single pivot pin

I would look for a snap on or armstrong or proto 3/8 if you want a nice one

I 2nd the Armstrong pearhead if you want a great ratchet cheap.

 

[eschoendorff]

I would look for a snap on or armstrong or proto 3/8 if you want a nice one

I have both brands of ratchets and will second this motion....

 

[Sack]

Ratchets are the only tool where I prefer a Mac over everything else. Dunno why. I got snap-on, craftsman, matco, s&k in the box, but I always grab the Mac. Just feels better.

 

[mulepackin]

maybe not an "uber" rathcet but i was so happy with my 3/8" proto "big dawg" that i bought the 1/4" and am waiting on the postman for my 1/2"

Where did you find a 1/4" big dawg?

 

[kartracer55]

Ratchets are the only tool where I prefer a Mac over everything else. Dunno why. I got snap-on, craftsman, matco, s&k in the box, but I always grab the Mac. Just feels better.

Hmm, I am going to have to try one now. I have seen them, infact, A guy I pit next to was using one today and it looked nice and all, but lacking asthetically considering the price. IDK Im strange like that.

Thanks for the heads up

Jim

 

[wythors]

Ratchets are the only tool where I prefer a Mac over everything else. Dunno why. I got snap-on, craftsman, matco, s&k in the box, but I always grab the Mac. Just feels better.

I have a 3/8 flex head, comfort grip Mac ratchet (see my avatar pic) that has been my "go to" unit for about twenty years now. A little over a year ago I won a $250 SnapOn gift certificate at work and used it to get a couple of new ratchets, one 1/4 and one 3/8. I love the 1/4, but couldn't stand the 3/8 piece. Compared to my old Mac, it was very notchy and clunky. I ended up selling it to a member here for a decent deal and he loved it. I dunno, it just didn't feel good to me.

I also have a Mac 3/8 stubby that's a really nice tool. I'd recommend you don't overlook Mac ratchets.

 

[Deafautotech]

i had three mac tool ratchet as it is thin ratchet head (two mac tool ratchet are round head because i use it for engine repair where it go throught in tight area. and one 1/4dr spinflex ratchet that tool i loved it but it had rebuilt right after one year because i over use on it and mechanism inside destroyed because i was over load on it.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

I have both kinds the pear heads and the round head kind. I mostly use the pear head variety because they are Snap On

The round head kind are a mix of Gray, Mastercraft and ?


All work equal to me